Friendly Open Dialogue Meetings
What if separation is not resolved, but simply not found?
As part of Naturally Appearing, I offer open dialogue meetings centred around the message explored in The Wholeness Of What Naturally Seems To Appear: Two But Not Two: nothing is self-evidently missing from the wholeness of what naturally seems to appear.
These meetings are not offered as teachings to be believed, practices to be mastered or paths towards becoming something else. They are conversations exploring what is already self-evident about what naturally seems to appear, without requiring an explanation of what this ultimately is.
Throughout this website, the phrase what naturally seems to appear is used frequently. Here, appearance is not limited to any particular kind of appearance, but includes thoughts, feelings, sensations, perceptions, people, objects, events, the world, awareness of these things, awareness itself, and whatever else may naturally seem to appear. The intention is not to establish a new terminology or explanation, but simply to describe what is already self-evident about what naturally seems to appear.
What naturally seems to appear is self-evidently appearing. It is not self-evidently nothing and is already fully itself. Nothing is self-evidently missing from it. Nor is an independently separate self self-evident within it.
The apparent experience of separation is itself included within what naturally seems to appear. Life may seem to unfold through a persistent sense of being a separate individual living in a world of other people, objects, events, hopes, fears, desires, responsibilities and concerns. This experience is not treated as a mistake, failure or something that must be overcome. It too naturally seems to appear.
Many different words and descriptions have been used within spiritual, philosophical and non-dual traditions to describe what this is. No particular description is required within these meetings, and none needs to be established as the final explanation.
The Appearance Of Human Life
Human life does not stand outside what is being explored. Relationship, work, creativity, uncertainty, love, loss, responsibility, joy, sorrow and the everyday realities of being human may all naturally enter the conversation.
Personal experience may therefore be part of our conversations. These meetings are not, however, offered as therapy, coaching, counselling, psychological treatment or support groups. The conversation remains centred around the message of the book and the wholeness of what naturally seems to appear.
Practices, disciplines, meditation, prayer, creativity, contemplation, service, inquiry and self-reflection may also naturally seem to appear and may be beneficial in many ways. None is required to make what naturally seems to appear whole.
No particular spiritual, philosophical, psychological, contemplative or non-dual position is required.
The invitation is simply to come as you are and join the conversation.
All are welcome.
Monthly Gatherings
These meetings last 90 minutes and are offered with a suggested donation of €10.
Book using the links at the bottom of this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a teaching or a practice?
No. Nothing is being offered that needs to be believed or practised in order to make what naturally seems to appear whole. The meetings are an opportunity to explore the pointing together through open conversation.
Do I need to have had an awakening or insight to attend?
Not at all. There is no requirement, qualification or expectation, and nothing needs to happen before you can take part. Nothing is self-evidently missing from what naturally seems to appear.
Will this help me awaken or become more aware?
The meetings are not offered as a means of bringing about awakening, greater awareness or any other particular outcome. Seeking, hoping for change and the desire to understand may naturally arise and can themselves be explored within the conversation.
Is this meditation, inquiry or self-investigation?
Not particularly. Meditation, inquiry and other practices may naturally enter the conversation, but they are not prescribed as methods for attaining something that is presently missing.
What if confusion, frustration or disappointment arises?
Confusion, frustration and disappointment are no more excluded from what naturally seems to appear than clarity, interest or enjoyment. Their appearance does not mean that something has gone wrong.
Does this mean psychological or physical suffering does not matter?
No. Human beings naturally seem to appear, and their physical and psychological wellbeing matters. Care, support and practical responses to suffering may all be appropriate. None of these needs to be understood as a means of producing existential wholeness.
Is seeking wrong?
No. Seeking is not criticised or opposed. It naturally seems to appear too and can be explored without judgement.
What actually happens in the meeting?
After a brief introduction, the meeting develops as an open conversation. People are welcome to ask questions, share what is arising, respond to one another or simply listen. There may also be periods of silence. The conversation is not directed towards achieving a predetermined outcome.
What if nothing makes sense?
That is fine. An intellectual understanding of non-duality is not required to participate in the conversation.
What if this resonates deeply?
Resonance may naturally appear, but it does not confer a special status or mean that someone has achieved something.
What if this feels confronting?
That can happen too. The meetings are not intended either to reassure people or deliberately to challenge them, and there is room to talk openly about whatever the pointing seems to bring up.
So what is the point?
Simply to meet and openly explore what naturally seems to appear, the wholeness towards which this points, and how this appears as ordinary human life. The conversation is not offered as a way of getting somewhere else or becoming something else.
The invitation is simply to come as you are.